The Indian Air Force (IAF) has claimed the better of The Royal Air Force in a two-week exercise which gave British pilots a rare chance to go up against some of the latest Russian-designed fighter jets.

Four of India’s fleet of Russian-designed SU-30MKI Flanker fighter aircrafts were pitted against RAF’s Typhoon FGR4 fighter planes in Lincolnshire in the operation named Indradhanush.

The exercise came in the wake of deployment of RAF fighter planes in the Baltic to stem the Ukraine conflict aggravated by Russian bombers off the British coastline.

What the RAF officers thought would be a relishing exercise turned into a humiliating episode as their Indian counterparts publicly declared a resounding 12-0 victory over the UK opponents.

As IAF Group Captain Ashu Srivastav claimed victory over the British aircraft during close-range dogfights, an RAF officer defended by labeling his claim “comical”.

The Indian media said that “the IAF aircraft was able to defeat the more advanced RAF Typhoon aircraft not only in one-on-one combat, but also in situations where one IAF pilot was pitted against two Typhoons”.

“There must have been some clouded recollection on the flights back to India, as the headlines of the Indian press bear no relation to the results of the tactical scenarios completed on the exercise in any shape or form”, said an RAF source to The Independent.

“Our analysis does not match what has been reported, RAF pilots and the Typhoon performed well throughout the exercise with and against the Indian Air Force. Both [forces] learnt a great deal from the exercise and the RAF look forward to the next opportunity to train alongside the IAF”, the source further added.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the RAF’s fast jet fleet is set to shrink to its smallest size in history by the end of the decade. Furthermore, the fleet is stretched to the limit while carrying out operations in the Middle East and the Baltic.

Operation Meghdoot was launched in 1984, it aimed to capture the Siachen Glacier. It was quite a unique operation because of Siachen’s dreaded terrain and unforgiving climate. The mission was a successful one, India gained control over the Siachen Glacier.

India now controls the 70 kilometres long glacier and the three major passes west of it (Sia La, Bilafond La, and Gyong La. Whereas Pakistan controls the area west of Saltoro Ridge. The TIME magazine states, India has control over 1,000 square miles of territory because of its exceptional military operation.

Siachen glacier, known as the third pole of the world, is one of the most dreaded places in the world. Mainly due to its temperature and terrain. Wikimedia Commons

IAF had played a major role in this operation. It used Il-76, An-12, and An-32 to transport troops and drop supplies to these extremely high altitude battlefields. Following which, Mi-17, Mi-8 and HAL Chetak would carry the same to the east.

IAF’s performance was incredible, taking into account how extreme the temperature and altitude are at Siachen. The operation is a saga which showcased such skill that can never be forgotten.

IAF’s uncompromising valour made it possible for the Indian Army to capture the Siachen Glacier. Wikimedia Commons

Role of Indian Air Force

When the first IAF sortie was launched to Siachen on 20th September 1978, Chetak helicopters used to supply stores to the on-ground Indian Army. That’s when a thought occurred to one of the IAF officers “Why not pick their emails for their loved ones back home?” They used to drop a string with a note saying “We are coming back in 10 minutes. Please write your letters and put them in a bag.”

This kind gesture of the Indian Air Force symbolized the brotherhood of ‘men in arms’. It also boosted the morale of Indian Army troops who were leading expeditions on the ‘third pole of the world’.

IAF helicopters used to fly at the height of 16,000 feet, many times, the officers had to take oxygen directly from the pipe. They also had the job of taking injured troops back to base camp. However, it isn’t as simple as it sounds.

Finding the expedition parties in the never-ending desert of ice, then landing the helicopter on the lumps of snow were tasks that required unmistakable skill.

IAF is the fourth most powerful air force in the world. Wikimedia Commons

How IAF operates in Siachen now

Indian Air Force has a far different set of procedures than that of the time of Operation Meghdoot. The operations are scientifically planned and executed meticulously.

IL-76s and An-32s supply stores to the men in Leh and Thoise from Chandigarh.